Touch of Class, Honor Code, and the Haskell: The week in social media

by | Jul 21, 2019 | Breaking, Business, Regionwide, Top Stories

Maximum Security

A fist pump from Luis Saez as Maximum Security wins the Haskell. Photo by Ryan Denver/EQUI-PHOTO.

Deserving recipients of the Touch of Class Award were announced, Honor Code’s first winner found success at Laurel Park, and Maximum Security did it again, in more ways than one.

Here’s what the racing world has been talking about on social media over the past week in the Mid-Atlantic region:

Kreidel to receive Touch of Class award

It was announced recently that outrider Kaymarie Kreidel and her horse Hunter were chosen as the recipients of the 2019 Touch of Class Award. Kreidel and Hunter are being recognized for their outstanding teamwork during the Preakness Stakes, when Bodexpress lost his rider and ran loose around the track. Kriedel and Hunter sprang into action and were able to capture the runaway horse and put an end to the danger that he could have caused.

The award is presented by the Maryland Horse Industry Board to those people, horses, and organizations that “demonstrate the highest standards of excellence in the Maryland Horse Industry by achieving national or international recognition.”

The award ceremony will be held at the Maryland Horse Forum in Baltimore, MD, and will take place on August 8.

First winner for sire Honor Code

A promising two-year-old colt named Night Code became the first winner for his sire Honor Code on July 11, with the victory taking place at Laurel Park.

Owned by St. Elias Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds, Night Code entered a 5 ½ furlong maiden special weight over the main track. The flashy colt raced close to the lead before taking command to post a narrow victory over his rivals. With jockey Feargal Lynch in the saddle, the Steve Asmussen trainee completed the race in a final time of 1:04.85.

Night Code paid $3.20 for his win.

 

 

Maximum Security does it again — and also it, also again

Maximum Security and jockey Luis Saez crossed the wire first in May’s Kentucky Derby only to be disqualified for interfering with several rivals nearing the turn for home.  After a lengthy delay to consider, the Churchill Downs stewards placed him 17th that day.

Saturday’s Grade 1 Haskell Invitational played out in an oddly familiar fashion — except that where there was dismay from his camp in May, there was joy yesterday. In the $1 million, Grade 1 Haskell Invitational, Maximum Security and Saez were prominent throughout, put a head in front turning for home, and inched clear to a 1 1/4-length victory.

But not so fast. Nearing the elbow of the turn for home, he appeared to come over on King for a Day, and that rival checked sharply. The stewards lit the inquiry sign, but after about a minute-long inquiry, they ruled there would be no change and that Maximum Security would remain the winner. Running time was 1:47.56 for nine furlongs over a fast main track on a steamy summer day. Maximum Security, trained by Jason Servis for Gary and Mary West, now has five wins from seven starts and earnings of nearly $1.3 million.